Holders for cylindrical objects



R. M. DUNNING HOLDERS FOR CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS Feb. 26, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 20, 1959 m5 i n L041 Q. 5 Am g 7 w 3 W a; 6. fi N nw" 4 fi m 0A. 2 W u?" .2 j

Feb. 26, 1963 R. DUNNING 3,078,988 HOLDERS FOR CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 20, 1959 4 0 x m W Fifi/A I.

3,673,988 HQLDEPS FGR CYLINBRICAL ()BJEQTS Robert M. Dunning, St. Paul, Minn, assignor to Waldorf Paper Products ompany, St. Paul, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Filed Mar. 20, 1959, Ser. No. 800,814 1 Claim. (Cl. 206-65) This invention relates to an improvement in holders for cylindrical objects and deals particularly with a paperboard holder for unitizing a series of cans or the like.

Many holders have been provided which are designed to connect a series of cans or similar objects having chimed ends so that the plurality of objects will be sold as a unit. Most such holders comprise sleeves or cartons into which the cans are inserted. However, in instances where it has been found desirable to display the cans and in instances where the use of a minimum of paperboard is desired, it has been found possible to connect a series of cans or similar objects through the use of a single panel which extends tangent to the parallel objects and which is provided with means along opposite edges of the panel to engage the ends of the cans.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a holder comprising a panel, an outer wall flange hinged to an edge of the panel, an inner wall flange hinged to the outer wall flange, and an anchoring flange which is adhered in face contact to the panel at a point spaced inwardly of the panel from the fold line connecting the panel to the outer flange. In such an arrangement, the inner flange is normally shorter than the outer flange so that the flanges may be adhered in substantially flat condition. When the inner and outer flanges are folded upwardly or in angular relation to the panel, the inner and outer flanges form a generally triangular structure with the inner flanges inclining downwardly and inwardly toward the center of the panel when the panel is on a horizontal plane. Flaps are cut in the inner flange which are designed to extend into the chimed ends of the objects.

In preferred form, the portion of the inner flanges be- 4 tween the free ends of the flaps and the edges of the anchoring flanges are either cut away or slit so as to fold outwardly to permit the chime of the can to extend through the inner flange. This insures the engagement of the flaps into the chimed ends of the cans and provides a secure engagement between the panel and the cans or other objects.

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the holder may be used with cylindrical objects having a domed upper end or projecting necks at one end and a chime at the opposite end. The holders may be similarly used for cans having chimed ends at both ends of the cylindrical body. When engaged, the holder is, for the most part, concealed beneath the can unless the structure is inverted to disclose the display panel connecting the cans. Thus, the cans themselves are eflectively displayed and can be easily seen.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claim.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a can holder used in combination with cans having parallel recessed ends.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the carrier or holder shown in FIGURE 1, with the can removed.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view through the ends of the can and through portions of the holder to show the manner in which the cans are retained in place.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of an edge of the holder in folded condition.

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view of the blank from which the holder is formed.

3,d7d,9d Patented Feb. 2%, i963 FEGURE 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of holder construction.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view through the holder of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic view of the blank from which the holder of FIGURES 6 and 7 is formed.

The holder is indicated in general by the letter A and is designed for use in holding a series of cans or similar cylindrical objects B. The cans B are of the type having parallel recessed ends It) and 11 encircled by chimes 12 and 13 respectively. The cans are normally of uniform diameter and length.

The holder A includes a central panel M which is foldably connected along parallel fold lines 15 and 16 to outer wall flanges 17 and 19 respectively. The outer wall flanges l7 and 19 are foldably connected along fold lines 20 and '21 to inner wall flanges 22 and 23 respectively. These inner Wall flanges 22 and 23 are foldably connected along fold lines 24 and 25 to anchoring flanges 26 and 27 respectively.

The inner wall flanges 22 and 23 are cut to provide a series of flaps 29 and 36 which are designed to extend into the recessed ends 10 and 11 of the cans B. The flaps 29 are formed by arcuate cut lines 31 and 32 respectively with the convex edge of the arcuate flap being directed toward the fold lines 24 and 25 connecting the inner side wall panels to the anchoring panels. The cuts 31 and 32 are spaced from the fold lines 24 and 25 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the chime so that when the chimes of the cans B are resting upon the anchoring flanges 26 and 27, the flaps 2i? and 30 will enter the recessed ends of the cans.

In preferred construction, means are provided so that the chimed ends of the can may extend through the inner wall panels 22 and 23. In order to accomplish this result, I provide cut lines 33 and 34 which are along the fold lines 24 and 25 directly beneath the arcuate cuts 31 and 32. Short right angular'cut lines such as 35 and 36 adjoin the center portions of the cut lines 33 and 34 to the center parts of the arcuate cut lines 31 so that the portions of the inner walls 22 and '23 which are beneath the free ends of the tabs 29 and 3% may fold outwardly so as to allow the chimed ends of the cans to extend through these walls.

The purpose of providing the cut lines described is to permit the chimes of the cans to extend through the inner side walls 22 and 23 without the necessity of stripping out the paperboard as would be necessary if the portions of the inner flanges beneath the tabs 29 and 3% was cut away. Obviously, however, the portions of the inner wall flanges beneath the tabs could be cut away if desired.

In the particular arrangement which is illustrated, the blank which forms the holder A is provided with a transverse weakened line of separation 37 extending entirely through the blank side from side to side thereof. The purpose of this arrangement is to permit the two halves of the holder to be torn apart where it is desired to sell a smaller number of cans. Also, if preferred, the portions of the weakened lines extending through the outer wall flanges, the inner wall flanges and the anchoring flanges can be separated and the holder may be folded along the portion of the weakened line 37 which extends across the bottom panel 14 so as to form a holder with cans projecting from opposite sides thereof.

In the formation of the holder, the flanges may be folded in the manner indicated in FIGURE 4 by holding the anchoring flanges and inner wall flanges into face contact and folding the outer wall flanges to overlie the inner wall and anchoring flanges. The anchoring flanges are adhered to the surface of the panel 14. Due to the difference in length between the inner flange 17 and outer flange 26, the combined flanges may only be opened through a certain angular distance toward the position illustrated in FIGURE 2. The cans B are then inserted and merely pressed down between the inner Wall flanges 22 and 23, the ends of thecans flexing the flaps 29 and 30 outwardly until these flaps move into registry with the recessed ends of the cans at which time the flaps will flex into the recessed ends and hold the cans firmly in position. While the tabs 29 and 30 have been described as being provided with arcua-te ends, as this type of out line provides the'maximum engagement between the flaps and the cans, the shapes of the cut edges may be varied if desired.

In FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings I'disclose a modified form of holder which is 'used for containing cans having :one recessed end and an opposite end provided with an axial neck or other projection. The cans D are provided with a tapered or'dome shaped top and an axial neck which is normally encircled by a cap 40. The substantially cylindrical portion 41 may form a part of the cap or may form a part ofme can, depending upon the .use to which the can is put.

The holder C is formed of the blank illustrated in FIGURE 8 of the drawings. The generally rectangular blank is p'rovidedwith a bottom panel 42 connected along a fold line 43 to an outer wall flange 44. The outer wall flange 44 is connected along'a fold line 45 to an inner .wall flange 46. The inner wall flange 46 is connected along a fold line 47 to an anchoring flange 49. The fold lines 43, 4S and 47 are parallel.

The inner wallflange 46 is' preferably narrower than the outer flange 44 so that when the flanges are fiolded in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIGURE 4, the

anchoring flange 49 will be secured to the bottom panel '42 at a point spaced from the fold line '43 connecting the hex outwardly in the manner previously described when thecans B are inserted.

Along the edge of thepanel 42 opposite the fold line 43, I provide a connecting flange 54 which is fold-ably connected to thebottom panel along a fold line 55. An ati-tachingflange 56 is toldably connected to the edge of the connecting flanges54 along a foldline 57 parallel the fold Iline. 55. A series of apertures 59 are formed in the flange v56 in opposed relation to the tabs 50. These apertures 59 are of proper size to accommodate a portion of the necks 41' or caps 40 tohold the cans D against the panel 42.

The holders are formed by folding the flanges 44, 46

. and 49 in the manner which hasbeen previously described in conjunctionwith the flanges of the blank A, these flanges being similar in: position to the flangesof the corresponding structure shown ini FIGURE 4.

When the holder is to be used, the necks of the cans D are inserted through the apertures 59 and the flanges 56 and 54 are folded so that the flange 56 is arranged on a plane at substantially right angles to the plane of the panel '42. The chimed lower ends of the cans, indicated in general by the numeral 60, are then swung toward the panel 42, the can ends flexing the flaps 50 until the chimed lower ends register with the flaps 50 so that these flaps may then flex outwardly into engagement with the recessed ends of the cans and against the inner surfaces of the chimes thereof. The chimed edges of the cans may extend through the inner wall flange 46 to provide a secure engagement between the cans and the holder.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in holders for cylindrical objects, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof,

'I desire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claim without departing from the spirit of my invention.

1 claim:

In combination with a plurality of cylindrical objects having parallel chimed'recessed ends, a holder including a sheet of paperboard creased along parallel told lines to provide a central panel, outer flanges hinged to opposite ddgesof said panel, inner flanges hinged to said outer flanges, and anchoringflanges hingedly secured to said inher flanges, said anchoring flanges being secured in face contact'with said panel in inwardly spaced relation to said opposite edges thereof, said inner flanges being inclined downwardly and inwardly toward the center of said panel when said panel is horizontal, flaps cut from said inner flanges and extending into said chi-med ends of said objects, said flaps terminating in spaced relation to said anchoring flanges, said panel extending substantially tangentially to said objects, cut lines extending along the fold lines connecting said inner wall flanges to said anchoring flanges and centered beneath each said flap, and cut lines in the inner wall flanges between the end of each flap and the center of a corresponding first named out line, whereby the portions of the inner wall flanges between the ends of said flaps and said first named cut lines may flex outwardly, the length of the cylindrical objects'being greater than the distance between the fold lines connecting said inner flanges to said anchoring flanges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,331,038 Meller Oct. 5, 1943 2,339,176 Lee Jan. 11, 1944 2,368,753 'Elliot Feb. 6, 1945 2,554,190 Hennessey May 22, 1951 2,593,689 Mitchell Apr. 22, 1952 2,706,590 Bergstein 'Apr. 19, 1955 2,853,183 Guyer Sept. 23, 1958 2,854,183 -Srofe Sept. 30, 1958 2,860,771 Spiegel et a1. Nov. 18, 1958 

